How safe is oral sex?
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man’s penis) a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen got into any cuts, sores or receding gums they might have in their mouth. Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman’s vulva or vagina) is also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or if the woman is infected with another sexually transmitted disease. The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a result of receiving oral sex is extremely low.
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man’s penis) a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen got into any cuts, sores or receding gums a person might have in their mouth. Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman’s clitoris or vagina) is also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection occurring might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or the woman is infected with another STD. The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a consequence of receiving oral sex is extremely low. .
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man’s penis) a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen got into any cuts, sores or receding gums a person might have in their mouth. Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman’s clitoris or vagina) is also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection occurring might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or the woman is infected with another STD. The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a consequence of receiving oral sex is extremely low.
+ It is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, however the risk of becoming infected in this way is lower than for unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man’s penis) a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen gets into any cuts, sores or receding gums they might have in their mouth. + Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman’s clitoris or vagina) is considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected fluids from a woman get into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection occurring might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or if the woman is infected with another STI, which causes breaks in the skin, therefore increasing exposure to blood. (return to top) Sexual Routes Of Transmission Sexual intercourse (vaginal and anal): In the genitals and the rectum, HIV may infect the mucous membranes directly or enter through cuts and sores caused durin
Although it is possible to become infected with HIV through oral sex, the risk of becoming infected in this way is much lower than the risk of infection via unprotected sexual intercourse with a man or woman. When giving oral sex to a man (sucking or licking a man’s penis) a person could become infected with HIV if infected semen got into any cuts, sores or receding gums a person might have in their mouth. Giving oral sex to a woman (licking a woman’s clitoris or vagina) is also considered relatively low risk. Transmission could take place if infected sexual fluids from a woman got into the mouth of her partner. The likelihood of infection occurring might be increased if there is menstrual blood involved or the woman is infected with another STD. The likelihood of either a man or a woman becoming infected with HIV as a consequence of receiving oral sex is extremely low. More information can be found on our Oral Sex page.
